Buying Guide
The Best Wireless Gaming Headsets Now
Six wireless headsets from the Stealth 700 to the Astro A50.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated

A 2.4GHz dongle gives the lowest latency, and Bluetooth adds a phone. These six all have a dongle or base station.
We compared battery, drivers and mic from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

Best All-Rounder
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth.
Best for: PC and phone.
Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Longest Battery Life
HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 WirelessThe longest battery life here (250 hours).
Best for: Players who hate charging mid-week.
Check price for HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Base Station
Astro A50 WirelessA charging base that switches three platforms.
Best for: Multi-platform desks.
Check price for Astro A50 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Mic
Logitech G522 Lightspeed WirelessA 48kHz/16-bit mic.
Best for: Streaming.
Check price for Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Drivers
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox)The largest driver size here (60mm).
Best for: Players who favour a fuller low end.
Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. | PC and phone. | Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | The longest battery life here (250 hours). | Players who hate charging mid-week. | Check price for HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | A charging base that switches three platforms. | Multi-platform desks. | Check price for Astro A50 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | A 48kHz/16-bit mic. | Streaming. | Check price for Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | The largest driver size here (60mm). | Players who favour a fuller low end. | Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best All-Rounder1 of 5
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2
The Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is the pick if your phone stays in your ears during a game: it plays 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio at the same time, so a call or music mixes with game sound.
Best for
- PC and phone.
Skip if
- Skip it if battery life matters most to you; the Cloud Alpha 2 offers 250 hours.
Why we like it
Its noise-rejecting mic suits noisy rooms. Its ClearCast Gen 2 mic cuts background noise by up to 25dB, and battery lasts over 50 hours with USB-C fast charge. A steel frame and memory foam balance weight and comfort.
On battery life it trails the group at 50 hours, while the Cloud Alpha 2 runs for 250 hours. You get a noise-rejecting microphone here, which sets it apart from the Stealth 700 and its a flip-to-mute microphone. You also get 360-degree spatial audio support.
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper G522 and the pricier Stealth 700, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Battery life
- 50 hours
- Connection
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously
- Microphone
- Noise-rejecting
Pros
- Up to 50 hours of battery life
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio
- 360-degree spatial audio support
Cons
- Battery life trails the Cloud Alpha 2 (250 hours)
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the G522 at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is battery life; for more, the Cloud Alpha 2 runs for 250 hours.
Longest Battery Life2 of 5
HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless
HyperX's Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless offers up to 250 hours of battery life with 53mm drivers.
Best for
- Players who hate charging mid-week.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the G522, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time. Battery life reaches up to 250 hours over 2.4GHz, or 125 hours with a simultaneous connection. The included RGB base station works as an audio control hub with programmable buttons and macros.
Its 250 hours battery life is the longest here; the G522 comes next at 60 hours. On driver size it sits mid-pack at 53mm: the Stealth 700 comes in at 60mm, and the Astro A50 comes in at 40mm. It is the only pick here with a detachable microphone; the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 has a noise-rejecting microphone instead.
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. When we checked, only the Stealth 700 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Astro A50 cost more.
Key specs
- Battery life
- 250 hours
- Driver size
- 53mm
- Connection
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously
- Microphone
- Detachable
Pros
- Up to 250 hours of battery life
- 53mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
Cons
- Costs more than the G522 at the time of writing
Best Base Station3 of 5
Astro A50 Wireless
The Astro A50 uses graphene drivers and a base station that charges the headset and switches between three platforms.
Best for
- Multi-platform desks.
Skip if
- The maker gives no battery life, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It is the premium Logitech-owned option. Its 10-band EQ, noise gate and stream mixing are set in G HUB, and Bluetooth mixes phone audio with game sound. Its 40mm driver size is the smallest in this group; the Stealth 700 leads at 60mm.
A 48kHz flip-to-mute microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Cloud Alpha 2 uses a detachable microphone. You also get a charging dock. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Cloud Alpha 2. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Cloud Alpha 2, which runs for 250 hours.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 40mm
- Connection
- Lightspeed base station, Bluetooth
- Microphone
- 48kHz flip-to-mute
Pros
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Graphene drivers
- Base station that switches between three platforms
- Charging dock
Cons
- No published battery life
- Driver size trails the Stealth 700 (60mm)
- Costs more than the G522 at the time of writing
Best Mic4 of 5
Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless
The G522 is built around voice: Logitech offers a full-bandwidth 48kHz microphone alongside 48kHz/24-bit audio.
Best for
- Streaming.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its driver size before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It weighs 280g and offers up to 60 hours with lighting off. Its 60 hours battery life ranks second of 3 here, behind the Cloud Alpha 2 (250 hours) and ahead of the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 (50 hours). A lightspeed 2.4GHz connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Stealth 700 uses a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection.
It is the only pick here with a 48kHz/16-bit microphone; the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 has a noise-rejecting microphone instead. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 was closest.
Key specs
- Battery life
- 60 hours
- Weight
- 280g
- Connection
- Lightspeed 2.4GHz
- Microphone
- 48kHz/16-bit
Pros
- Up to 60 hours of battery life
- Light 280g build
- 48kHz/24-bit audio
- Full-bandwidth 48kHz microphone
Cons
- No published driver size
The catch
If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the Stealth 700 instead: it comes in at 60mm, while this one gives no figure.
Largest Drivers5 of 5
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox)
The Stealth 700 uses the largest drivers here, 60mm Eclipse dual drivers, and a CrossPlay dual transmitter for switching between systems.
Best for
- Players who favour a fuller low end.
Skip if
- Its battery life is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Memory foam cushions designed for glasses make it one of the more comfortable options for long sessions. It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time, so you can take a phone call while gaming, and the battery is rated for up to 80 hours. The glasses-friendly memory foam cushions and 10-band EQ app help on long sessions.
On driver size it leads this guide at 60mm, ahead of the Cloud Alpha 2 (53mm). It is the only pick here with a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection; the G522 has a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection instead. You get a flip-to-mute microphone here, which sets it apart from the G522 and its a 48kHz/16-bit microphone. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 and the pricier Cloud Alpha 2, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 60mm
- Connection
- CrossPlay dual transmitter
- Microphone
- Flip-to-mute
Pros
- 60mm drivers
- 60mm Eclipse dual drivers
- Memory foam cushions designed for glasses
- CrossPlay dual transmitter connection, the only one here
Cons
- No published battery life
- Costs more than the G522 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Cloud Alpha 2 runs for 250 hours.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five headsets on battery life, driver size, connection and microphone, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and battery life and driver size are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 to the Stealth 700, state connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Astro A50 and the Stealth 700 give no battery life; the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 and the G522 give no driver size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the G522 ($100 to $150) to the Astro A50 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Wireless Gaming Headsets Now
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much battery life you need
The Cloud Alpha 2 tops battery life at 250 hours and the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 sits lowest at 50 hours. The G522 comes second at 60 hours, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Cloud Alpha 2. The Astro A50 and the Stealth 700 give no battery life figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Driver size
Here driver size runs from 40mm on the Astro A50 to 60mm on the Stealth 700, a 50% spread. Start with the Stealth 700 if driver size decides it. The Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 and the G522 give no driver size figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.

A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor Extras that separate them
The Astro A50: a base station that switches between three platforms. The G522: a full-bandwidth 48kHz microphone. The Stealth 700: memory foam cushions designed for glasses.
How much to spend
$100 to $150 buys the G522; $150 to $250 buys the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2, the Stealth 700 and the Cloud Alpha 2; $250 to $500 buys the Astro A50 at our last check.

A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers Start from what matters most
PC and phone: the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2. Players who hate charging mid-week: the Cloud Alpha 2. Multi-platform desks: the Astro A50.
How to Choose a Wireless Gaming Headsets Now
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| PC and phone | Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 | Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth |
| Players who hate charging mid-week | Cloud Alpha 2 | The longest battery life here (250 hours) |
| Multi-platform desks | Astro A50 | A charging base that switches three platforms |
| Streaming | G522 | A 48kHz/16-bit mic |
| Players who favour a fuller low end | Stealth 700 | The largest driver size here (60mm) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.

Key specs side by side
The Cloud Alpha 2 leads on battery life at 250 hours, ahead of the G522 at 60 hours. "Not listed" marks battery life where the Astro A50 and the Stealth 700 leave the figure out.
| Headset | Battery life | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 | 50 hours | Not listed | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously | Noise-rejecting |
| Cloud Alpha 2 | 250 hours | 53mm | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously | Detachable |
| Astro A50 | Not listed | 40mm | Lightspeed base station, Bluetooth | 48kHz flip-to-mute |
| G522 | 60 hours | Not listed | Lightspeed 2.4GHz | 48kHz/16-bit |
| Stealth 700 | Not listed | 60mm | CrossPlay dual transmitter | Flip-to-mute |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The G522 was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Astro A50 the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | G522 |
| About $150 to $250 | Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2, Stealth 700, Cloud Alpha 2 |
| About $250 to $500 | Astro A50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the longest battery life: the Cloud Alpha 2 or the G522?
Between the top two, it is 250 hours on the Cloud Alpha 2 against 60 hours on the G522, a 317% difference. The Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 closes the ranking at 50 hours. The Astro A50 and the Stealth 700 are left out of this ranking because their battery life isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Stealth 700 ahead of the Cloud Alpha 2 on driver size?
The Stealth 700 tops driver size at 60mm; the Cloud Alpha 2 follows at 53mm, 13% apart. The Astro A50 is at the other end of this group with 40mm. No driver size figure is published for the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 and the G522, which leaves 3 of 5 picks ranked here.
Why is the Stealth 700 our Largest Drivers pick?
It carries the badge for the largest driver size here (60mm). On driver size it leads the Cloud Alpha 2, 60mm against 53mm, a 13% margin. The G522, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who favours a fuller low end.
Do the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 and the Cloud Alpha 2 differ on microphone?
The Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 uses noise-rejecting; the Cloud Alpha 2 uses detachable; the Astro A50 uses 48kHz flip-to-mute; the G522 uses 48kHz/16-bit; the Stealth 700 uses flip-to-mute.
What extras do the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 and the Cloud Alpha 2 include?
The Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2: simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio. The Cloud Alpha 2: up to 250 hours of listed battery life. The Astro A50: graphene drivers.
Bottom Line
SteelSeries's Nova 7 Gen 2 is the all-round pick. HyperX's Cloud Alpha 2 leads on battery, and the Astro A50 suits multi-platform desks.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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